Bring Afro-Cuban 6/8 grooves to your drumset!
6 Lessons | 1,5 Hours of Videos | 31 Exercises | 248 Audio Tracks | 20 PDF Pages
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Interested in mastering the rhythmic foundations behind classics like Afro Blue, Footprints or Higher Ground?
Afro-Cuban 6/8 rhythms have been a strong inspiration for countless drummers. This course teaches you different applications of percussive elements to the drumset, appreciating and celebrating the rich drumming legacy and heritage of both Africa and Cuba.
Unlock these drumming skills:
- Master Afro-Cuban 6/8 rhythms to enrich your drumming repertoire.
- Improve your coordination through challenging patterns.
- Get the vibe and rhythmic elements strongly used in Jazz, Pop and even Rock music.
- Gain confidence in playing complex Latin rhythms on the drumset.
- Master polyrhythm through practical, real-world applications.
- Learn Afro-Cuban 6/8 rhythms, an essential part of top university and college music programs.
- Deepen your musicality by connecting with cultural heritage of African and Cuban music.
- Dive into Santeria and Abacua traditions and learn some different applications of these traditional rhythmic languages to the modern drumset
What you will get?
- Comprehensive Video Lessons designed to help you master 6/8 rhythms with high-quality audio and visual support.
- Dedicated Exercises with Live Audio Tracks recorded by Claus himself!
- Expert Guidance. Benefit from the knowledge of top experts in the field.
- Downloadable PDFs with Sheet Music.
- Community and regular online meetings with the teachers.
- Take the course at your own pace and revisit lessons and exercises as needed.
Course Content
Course Sample
Traditionally the word Bembé refers to certain religious gatherings in which people honor and celebrate different Orishas (deities), but is also used as a generalized name for a rich and exciting family of grooves. One can consider the Santeria and Abacua traditions/communities as the driving forces behind many of the 6/8 related Afro-Cuban rhythms in this tradition.
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In Santeria, these so-called Orishas are connected to special signature rhythms. The typical instruments used here include three types of batas (Iya - Itotele - Okonkolo), a leading voice from a metallic-sounding voice (usually a hoe blade or guataca, often replaced by a cowbell) and a Shekere. These special signature rhythms also have their own clave version in 6/8 assigned to them. Studying the tradition of Santeria would involve a lifetime of studies in itself, and one can trace its roots back to different cultures/religions brought about by African people like the Yoruba. Catholic saints are also equated with deities of the Santeria (Santa Barbara for Chango, or Saint Anton in the case of Ellegua) . This is also described as Regla de Ocha, or “the way of the saints”. One might also come across the word Lucumi, relating to those African people who brought about the tradition . It is also said that each person is influenced by a certain orisha, and offerings like liquor or flowers are presented to these deities.
The Abacua tradition is a bit of a different story. While still having African roots, it has a different cultural, religious and social background. Different drums are also used - one will not find batas being used here. One typical rhythmic ingredient of this tradition is the use of 4-note groupings inside the 6/8 rhythm.
This course will teach you some different applications of these traditional rhythmic languages to the modern drumset.
Entry level: Intermediate
6 Lessons
1,5 hours of videos
31 exercises
248 audio tracks
Try this course for free with these lessons:
This lesson is all about introducing you to the Bembé pattern and teaching you two basic but authentic 6/8 grooves. From a standpoint of technique and coordination this lesson’s content should not be extremely difficult to grasp, but will still be an important requirement to master.
Course booklet to each lesson
In addition to all the video materials, exercises and support you’ll get a downloadable, printable booklets to each lesson with exercises so you can study wherever you want, even if you don’t have your phone or internet connection.
Meet your instructor!
Claus Hessler
Master of Moeller Technique
Virtuosic improviser with masterful coordination
Successor to Jim Chapin
Innovator in the “open-handed” style of drumming
